Pequi de Ouro: Honoring the Women Protecting Brazil’s Threatened Cerrado

In a heartfelt celebration of courage, dedication, and love for nature, the Brazilian development organization 10envolvimento, supported by horizont3000, once again presented the Pequi de Ouro (“Golden Pequi”) awards. Each year, this honor recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the preservation of the Cerrado, one of the planet’s most endangered ecosystems.

The Cerrado – a vast savanna-like region in central Brazil – is often overshadowed by the Amazon, yet it is equally rich in biodiversity. It is home to countless endemic species and serves as the cradle of major river systems. However, it is under severe threat from the aggressive expansion of industrial agriculture and cattle ranching. The cultivation of soybeans, the region’s “golden crop,” has transformed large areas of the Cerrado into monocultural farmlands.

As a counterpoint to the “Golden Soybean” award celebrated by agribusiness in Western Bahia, 10envolvimento created the Pequi de Ouro to honor those who fight to protect the land, water, and communities of the Cerrado. The award’s symbol, the pequi fruit, embodies the essence of this ecosystem: a golden, oil-rich fruit with a distinctive, savory flavor that has nourished generations of Cerrado dwellers.

This year’s Pequi de Ouro 2025 was remarkable in one special way: all honorees were women. Their work reflects the strength and resilience of those who stand at the frontlines of environmental and social justice:

• Aurenilde Aires dos Santos (Formosa do Rio Preto) – for her exemplary advocacy for local small-scale women farmers.
• Denísia Rodrigues de Araújo (São Desidério) – for her courageous opposition to dam construction on the Rio Grande.
• Isaltina Guedes da Silva Gomes (Gatos) – for her service as a health assistant in remote Cerrado communities.
• Dr.ª Luciana Espinheira da Costa Khoury – for her committed legal defense of traditional farming families.
• Rosivania Jesus Batista – for her fearless representation of the Kiriri Indigenous people in the Rio Grande basin.
• The Babaçu Women’s Group – for their sustainable use of the native babaçu palm fruit and protection of riverbanks along the Rio Grande.

The ceremony radiated the energy, artistry, and solidarity of women who nurture both land and life. The entire program—music, food, and festivity—was led by women. Guests were served, free of charge, the region’s beloved traditional dish, chicken and rice with pequi, while songs of the Cerrado filled the air.

The Pequi de Ouro 2025 was more than an award event—it was a tribute to the women who stand for the future of the Cerrado and its people. Their courage, resilience, and affection for the land continue to inspire hope in one of the most fragile yet vital regions on Earth.

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Agência 10envolvimento (@10.envolvimento)